wig advice

I got three synthetic wigs and i rarely ever wear them. The first one I got from AMC. They had a very limited selection and nothing like my hair so i took one that was totally different and thought it might be fun. I did not really feel comfy in it. It itched and it looked like someone else in the mirror to me. Then I found out i qualified for a free wig at the hospital so I went there and picked one as close as I could find to my hair and it is just really wrong and got worse when i had it cut.

Then I found this website that had some great wigs that they donate. My avatar I am wearing it. http://crickettsanswerforcancer.org/

Got a great wig closer to my hair color but much longer. They sent me a gel band to wear under it that makes it way more comfy. It has a kind of mesh front that makes it look more real. I wore it a few times but mostly i just wore hats as its been cold. 

I am at about 10 weeks PFC and my hair is slowly growing back but I still can't go topless. 

yes Pegs but I have medicaid and they would not cover it. But you need a prescription with most insurance for a cranial prosthesis and then i think normal insurance would cover it. I am 18 weeks PFC now and my head is covered albeit super short, i can go wihthout anything now but i look very butch. I am going to try to find some kind of cute cloth headband or something.

pejkug3 well if you can't afford it try these people http://crickettsanswerforcancer.org/

They were very nice and got me a good quality wig. You get a choice of wig on wig.com i think it was. They let me pick any wig i wanted no price limit. 

Yes I got a wig from the American Cancer Society but it was a used wig and they did not have many to chose from I ended up with something totally different than my hair. When this is all over I will donate all my wigs back to them.

determined3 you can exchange your wig at the ACS if it does not fit. You will have about 2 weeks before your hair begins to fall out so that gives you some time to explore other options. Personally i got 3 wigs and almost never wore them. I wore hats 24/7. I would suggest if your worried about the wind wearing a scarf that you can tie. There are lots of pretty options for scarves and when chemo is over you can still use them. I put a hat on over my wig on windy days. ALso i got this gel band from wigs.com that really helped my wig stay in place and made it more comfortable. Keep in mind it will fit different without hair.

Take a deep breath you will be ok. Losing hair is a heartbreaking expereince but it is only hair, it is still you inside. 

hello - can anyone tell me where is a good place on-line to order wigs?.  Is the recommendation for a real hair wig or synthetic?  I will be starting Chemo soon and losing of the hair is bothering me the most.  I am sure most of you understand that. 

Thanks 

My wig caps are so uncomfortabe and I'd love to know what it is you have that is so comfy, Cat123.  Thanks for any help you can give me.

You can contact Crickett's Answer for Cancer at crickettsanswerforcancer.org.  They are a wonderful organization that provides services to women with breast cancer.  I was fortunate to have them pay for a massage for me.  They can get you a wig free of charge.  

Hello, since this is my second time through treatment (the first was in 2000), I went ahead and cut my hair into a pixie cut like I had in 8th grade.  Has anyone seen a really short pixie cut wig?  My thought is that I (and friends) get used to the short hair before I need the wig and that my hair will regrow to the short length sooner than  the bob style that I've worn since 9th grade (LOL).

lorenar: My free Gaila hat just came today! Grey velvet. It' really pretty!

Leah,

I just found this thread today. Although I am Jewish, I am not Orthodox, however I have told friends that soon, I will be wearing a sheitel. You have done a great mitzvah by giving so many women practical tips on wearing wigs. Hope you had a good New Year.

Caryn

So far, I haven't seen anyone with my particular problem.  My natural hair is short and very thin/fine.  healthy looking, but fine nevertheless.  My first experience with the wigs was awful, as  the amount of hair on them was three times what  I have on my own head!  Even the lightest ones had such thick hair, my face more or less disappeared under it.  Also, my head is on the small side.  Even the petite size was large.  Help!  Anyone with this particular situation out there?  I mean not everyone has movie star hair to begin with.  Don't these wig makers take that into consideration?

Thanks, Carrol2.  I found the courage to try again on Saturday.  This time my daughter came with me and we went to a real salon.  I couldn't believe how wonderful and patient the stylist was, and I actually found one.  The color and style were perfect, so once I committed, she thinned it and styled it right then.  My daughter thought it looked so good, she encouraged me to wear it home.  Guess what?  My husband was talking to me about different things and he didn't even notice the wig!!! When I asked him what he thought, he said "About what?"  And I pointed to my head and he said "Did you go today?  Did you get anything?"  I guess that said it all.  One load off my mind. A small thing in the grand scheme of things, but important to me nevertheless. I will have my first chemo treatment tomorrow.  I am still nervous but I guess I'll get through it.

So, I went for my first wig appointment today.  Pleasantly surprised. The salon has a private room in the back where the do the wig consultations.  They clearly do a big business in wigs at this place.  They have synthetic wigs, real hair wigs, and synthetic/real combo.  I opted for the 100% real hair.  It looked and felt the best.  But, expensive!  The cost includes the color and cut they will do to exactly match my current hair.  I was surprised how good they looked!  If im going to be bald, im going to rock a great wig!  I will pay anything to not look like a cancer patient.

ya, the cost was a bit shocking but we all end up with what we are comfortable with.  Im thinking i should buy a pink or blue or green synthetic for fun.  Why not?  I will cross that bridge once hairless.  Never in a million years thought i would end up buying a wig.  BC sucks.